...

"Thanks, Lance." I grabbed the frosty bottle off the bar and handed the bartender a ten. "Keep it," I said, raising the bottle in salute. Lance was the regular weeknight bartender at Marbles, and we had become regular customers ever since My Llama started playing gigs there at least once a week. It was a sweet find though; the owner had spent several years in Scotland and Wales, and Marbles was a definite nod to your typical neighborhood pub. Lots of worn-in wood, cozy booths, big tables if cozy wasn't your thing, and a couple of pool tables back in the corner. Food was good too and not too expensive. Anyway, we hung out here a lot and Lance took care of us. Tonight was a big night and I'd staked out a table close to the small corner stage; tonight was the debut of My Llama's new temporary drummer, John.
What a crazy few days. First of all, even though we'd all told John to crash with us and look us up and all that next time he made it to Houston, I for one didn't expect him to actually show up one day. It's one of those things you just say when you meet new people. You mean it of course, but no one ever really expects a follow-through. Anyway, so that was mildly crazy. But a drummer? Come on. Tod, however, swears that he's "money" and Grant is quick to nod his head and say "totally money." (Way too many late-night viewings of Swingers). We'll see.
"Hey Gia," Phil sat down next to me after squezzing my shoulders. "How's your day?"
I shrugged "same ol' stuff, you?"
"Yep."
Kathleen walked up a few minutes later, carrying drinks for her and Phil and a big pink frosted thing that could only be for Maria.
"Where's Maria?" I asked scouting out the comfortably full room.
"Ladies' room."
The guys had climbed onto the stage and begun to pick up there instruments and get settled. I felt a fierce behind-the-back hug and turned to smile at Maria.
"Hola, chica!" I said with a grin.
Maria rolled her eyes as I knew she would. "Seriously, gringo. When are you going to let me teach you some Spanish?"
"When my brain develops some language skills and you sit still long enough to deliver...or whichever happens first."
She laughed, brown eyes sparkling. "I've missed you Gia."
"I know... where've you been?" I asked. It had been a few weeks since Maria had made an appearance at our house or the guys' house.
"Work has been unbelievably busy," she said. "And my sister got appendicitis so I've been taking turns with my mom and sisters-in-law cleaning and cooking."
"Ouch," Kathleen said. "Makes me glad I don't have any family."
"Yes, but then who takes care of you when you're sick," Maria said.
"Gia."
We all laughed because we all knew it was true. I was a nurturer, or to put it another way, a girl prone to being stepped on and getting her heart broken.
Our conversation got interrupted by a drum riff.

...

...I was lounging on the couch in a pancake-induced stupor, watching through the archway as Grant and Phil washed the dishes and stacked them in the drainer on the counter. Kathleen was still at the kitchen table, alternately reading the newspaper and criticizing -- I'm sorry, critiquing, the dishwashing. Tod also sat at the table, head on his arms. Every now and then a groan would escape. I had just managed to stop thinking about Peter when the doorbell rang. I rolled off the couch and walked the few feet to the front door, opening it as Kathleen poked her head out of the kitchen. I stared out the door.
"John!" I said, queen of the obvious.
"Gia!" he said, his eyes crinkling as he grinned.
"What..I mean, come in," I held the door open wider.
"Thanks," he said, walking through. He set a good-sized backpacking pack on the floor next the door, leaning against the wall. "Hi Kathleen."
"Hello yourself," she said, "I think we have a few chocolate chip pancakes left if you'd like some."
"Who says no to pancakes," he said with another grin. "I tried the guys house first but no one was..." he stopped and laughed as we fully entered the kitchen. "hey guys."
"Hey."
Kathleen set the last plate of pancakes on the table in front of an empty chair.
"Milk?" I asked, opening the fridge.
"That'd be awesome. This is quite the welcome."
"It's Saturday," Grant said.
John took a bite and cocked his head toward Tod's still figure which hadn't even moved after John came in.
Phil quickly filled him in and I was pretty shocked to see yet another grin flash across John's face. Did this guy do anything but smile?
"Funny how God works things out sometimes," he said and before we could process that surprising comment -- even Tod lifted his head at the mention of God that didn't involve swearing -- John had gotten out of his chair and walked into the other room. In a few minutes he was back deftly twirling two drumsticks in his fingers. "I don't have a set with me, but I am planning to stick around town for a while."
We all started with gaping mouths.
"Finish your pancakes," Tod said. "Then come over. I've got a set at the house and you can try out a set."


author's note: thanks to those who are reading and pushing me on; I need the shove now and again. Sorry I've been MIA on the story-telling; but don't give up!